The Houston Texans had their joint practices with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday and Thursday and the New Orleans Saints held their practices with the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday and Friday. However, fans will not be able to enjoy the Texans-Saints joint practice ahead of their next preseason match as both teams opted out from doing so.
CJ Stroud-led Texans are set to face off against Derek Carr-led Saints at Caesars Superdome on August 27 at 7 p.m. CT. The New Orleans team just clinched a 22-17 victory over the Chargers and is 2-0 in the preseason against their two AFC West opponents while the Houston team went down to the Dolphins 28-3 in Week 2 at home.
Why did the Texans and Saints cancel their joint practice? Explained
According to a joint statement released on Sunday, both the Saints and Texans mutually decided to cancel their joint practices for Thursday and Friday of this week in Louisiana.
“Our two teams have mutually agreed to cancel the joint practices that were scheduled in New Orleans this week. After our head coaches spoke earlier today, we decided this was in the best interest of both teams as we continue to prepare for the regular season. A revised practice schedule for each team will be communicated once finalized.”
#Saints HC Dennis Allen says DeMeco Ryans reached out to him this morning to note the #Texans had players banged up. Allen says both coaches felt they wouldn’t have had a productive joint practice, so they decided to cancel and work on their own. https://t.co/kR41HzVcpl
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 21, 2023
New Orleans coach Dennis Allen said he had a discussion with Houston’s coach DeMeco Ryans and the decision was mutually taken due to the number of injuries the Texans squad suffered during the past two weeks.
NFL fans react to Texans, Saints canceling their joint practice
Many NFL fans have earlier voiced their take against joint practices due to injury concerns. Following the cancellation of Houston and New Orleans’ joint practices, they seemingly felt more relieved ahead of the upcoming preseason match.
A fan wrote, “Good for the players to get healthy.”
Good for the players to get healthy
— Tyler Pherigo (@GhostMaster8761) August 21, 2023
The cancellation decision might also be taken to avoid altercations as many heated incidents are happening in the joint practices lately and things can get a little too intense during the session. Even the New York Jets coach Robert Saleh and the Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur have recently voiced their take saying it could pave the way for more intense fights.
A netizen wrote, ” Things have gotten a lot chippier in joint practices. Multiple (pointless) fights throughout the NFL. Not sure if that’s the why, but it wouldn’t shock me.”
Things have gotten a lot chippier in joint practices. Multiple (pointless) fights throughout the NFL. Not sure if that’s the why, but it wouldn’t shock me.
— Llano Estacado 🌵 (@WestTxWinds) August 21, 2023
Some users urged the whole preseason to be canceled to avoid any negative situations ahead of the regular season.
Just get rid of pre season all together
— Sniperjim57 (@sniperjim57) August 21, 2023
However, some fans didn’t like the news and bashed both teams for not being able to see the positive sides of joint practices while favoring preseason too much.
A netizen wrote, “Eagles been proven to be ahead of the curve. Joint practices>>> pre season games. Saints and Texans wasting joint practices speaks volumes about those poorly run orgs.”
Eagles been proven to be ahead of the curve. Joint practices>>> pre season games. Saints and Texans wasting joint practices speaks volumes about those poorly run orgs
— James Levy (@jameslevy21) August 21, 2023
What’s your take on this news? Do you think the Texans and Saints made a wise decision by canceling their joint practices? You can share your thoughts with us in the comments.
